Abstract
Rationale: Water loss by evaporation is a normal physiological process, in order to regulate plant temperature. Under conditions of thermal and water stress, water loss is accelerated compared to normal conditions, and the response of plants is variable. In extreme cases, it can lead to wilting and death of plants. It was found that the phenomenon of water loss behaved as a pattern in different plant species, given by two functions, logistics (first part of water loss) and hyperbola (second part of water loss) in relation to a moment m, at which the rate of water loss (RWL) has reached its maximum value. Method: We studied the water loss process for a series of plant samples on different plant species (Picea abies L., H. Karst; Juniperus communis L.; Pinus silvestris L.; Thuja occidentalis L.; Lamium purpureum L.; Veronica hederifolia L.), measuring the rate of weight loss (RWL) in controlled conditions. The drying of the samples was done in identical conditions (thermo-balance, 100 °C, standard temperature for drying the plant samples) with the real-time recording of the drying time simultaneously with the water loss rate (RWL) from the plant samples. The exposure time varied, depending on each species sample, and was approximately 1000 s. Results: The experimental data was recorded at intervals of every 10 s, during the entire drying period. RWL values varied from 0.024 to 0.054 g/min at the beginning of the drying process and reached maximum values after 70–100 s, having values between 0.258 g/min and 0.498 g/min. During the drying period, this indicator presented different graphic evolutions, difficult to be described with a single function. The first segment was described by a logistic function, and the second was described by a hyperbola, resulting in a model (RWLMod) which described the real phenomenon. This model and theoretical calculation were used to quantify the water loss in a time interval and, compared with empirical dates, no significant differences were observed, which indicated an increased degree of accuracy regarding the use of this model. Recommendation and novelty of work: The novelty of the work is given by the obtained model (RWLMod), which makes possible the description of RWL over the entire time interval, and ensures a good fit with the real data. It recommends the method and model in studies of plant behaviour under stress in relation to different influencing factors.
Highlights
Water has a vital role in plant life, in relation to physiological and metabolic processes, plant nutrition, thermoregulation, plant growth and development, tolerance to stressors, etc
Knowing the dynamics of water loss in plants has multiple applications, beginning with a better understanding of the crop behaviour under conditions of water stress; we identified technological issues on improving methods for the processing of plant products
Multiple concerns have existed study describe aspects related to in Multiple concerns to to study andand describe aspects related to water in plants, Multiple concernshave haveexisted existed to study and describe aspects related to water water in plants, or plant products, and the modeling approach has been the basis of many methods or plant products, and the modeling approach has been the basis of many methods and plants, or plant products, and the modeling approach has been the basis of many methods and techniques of drying process aa method commonly used for contechniques of investigation
Summary
Water has a vital role in plant life, in relation to physiological and metabolic processes, plant nutrition, thermoregulation, plant growth and development, tolerance to stressors, etc. The literature contains studies on the physiological mechanisms of water loss [1,2] on increasing tolerance regarding hydric stress [3,4,5], and on the drying process of some aromatic plants with economic possibilities [6]. In the case of crop plants, there was a special interest regarding the increase of plant resistance to water stress and thermal factors; a number of studies have analysed physiological indices [10,11,12], water efficiency in plants [13,14], photosynthetic capacity and production quality [15,16], regarding the increased demands for food production, in the context of population growth and climate change [17,18]. There is a confirmed existence for the particular well-defined dynamic of some indicators describing humidity, and existing studies are using a mathematical characterization of these processes. Phenomena with a downward asymptotic trend have been evaluated in studies regarding the behaviour of biological and biochemical processes [22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
